2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 511 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
51,000 milesMedian miles at failure

347 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System46
010
Structure44
000
Air Bags24
16022
Unknown or Other22
011
Power Train › Automatic Transmission20
001
Exterior Lighting18
000
Engine16
060
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash14
010
Air Bags › Frontal13
13011
Wheels11
100

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Suspension08E033000
Filed Apr 14, 20086,903 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Chassis Products

Defect. FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Risk. THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections04V268000
Filed Jun 3, 2004438,391 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.

Risk. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery02V215000
Filed Aug 8, 2002345,436 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY SEAL OVER THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash01V288000
Filed Sep 10, 200143,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Risk. DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE CLUSTER COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility
Filed Jun 20, 202470,000 milesKS

The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the rear quarter glass fasteners on both sides of the vehicle had started to separate from the vehicle. The contact stated that the windows were violently shaking while driving at various speeds. The contact was concerned that the windows might fall out while driving and cause injury to a pedestrian. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 31, 2023138,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she could smell fuel in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who located a fuel leak on the fuel trail line. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 11, 2023OR

Hello My name is [XXX]. I own a 2002 Chrysler Pt cruiser and for some reason the power steering went out while I was driving! I was able to make it home because I wasn’t far away! My power steering stopped out of no where and my fluid is full and my belt is attached I was also told my pump was in great condition! I’m really concerned because I had my 6 year old child in the car! I now can’t make appointments work or even take my child to school I’m in need for help! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2021NY

Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I believe one has a hole or 2 & another 1 is forming one. It's also scratching & ruining the rotors. Its not the pads they are fine but I need at least 1 new rotor & can't because the rims are defective causing it to happen again which can easily damage the calipers locking up the wheel causing a crash plus sometimes theres a loud crunching noise not grinding like the pads are bad cause they are not. I know the difference. The trac off & airbag lights are on then they go off then come back on again.The dashboard is cracked and it caused the vent to break where anything can get in it.The clear coat is peeling and yet the paint under it is in great shape.I also believe that the instrument cluster is causing the lights to come on the dashboard.The vehicle can be picked up when ever you have a spot open for it. I would like 48 hours notice due to work. This is a safety issue if the power steering goes while driving I cant steer it because I didn't know it was leaking it went out and I was stuck blocking traffic and couldn't turn it the passenger had to do it for me, If the rims get worse or hole bigger it can crack or break in half while I am driving. The de

EngineFire
Filed Jul 27, 2021OH

While driving the vehicle I could begin to smell a strong odor of gas them almost like the smell of plastic melting and the vehicle engine started running hot temperature so I immediately turned off the engine as I pulled over to the side of the road and as I stepped out of the car aflame began under the hood and ended up burning my entire engine. Fire department had to come and extinguish the car.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 4, 2021102,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 28, 2019199,685 milesTX

DROVE THE VEHICLE 12 MILES TO GET HOME. (THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) IMMEDIATELY TURNING OFF ENGINE AFTER MAKING IT HOME. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE (BIG LEAK) FROM HOSE AND SMOKE SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD. (ENGINE LOOKS CHARD)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 8, 2019147,000 milesSC

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE READING AS THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE ODOMETER CODE SYSTEM.. MY CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME EVEN WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY BATTERY TERMINAL SEEMS TO BE WEAK POSSIBLY HAVING SHORTAGE MOMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME. MY VEHICHLE WILL PULL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. MY BREAKS FEEL LIKE THERE GOING TO GIVE OUT OR ARE BRAND KNEW . MY VEHICHLE MAKES A NOISE AS IF THE FRONT CV AXELS OR BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE GREASED. MY WIRING AND ENGINE IS MY MAIN CONCERN. MY AC DOESN'T WORK MY RADIATOR SEAL HAS BEEN REPLACED MY CAR WILL MAKE A GUZZLING NOICE DUE TO THE COOLANT . THE LIST GOES ON. I BOUGHT MY VEHICHLE APPROX. 4MONTHS AGO. THE ISSUES HAVE PROGRESSED OVER THE PAST MONTH.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 22, 2019OR

UPON STARTING VEHICLE ALL WARNING TEST LIGHTS SUCH AS AIRBAG,OIL PRESSURE ETC. COME ON AS NORMAL,BUT OFTEN THE RED "AIRBAG" LIGHT STAYS ON INDEFINITELY OR GOES OFF THEN BELLS AND "AIRBAG" RED LIGHT REAPPEAR AND STAY ON 5 TO 10,SECONDS THEN GO OFF EVERY FEW MINUTES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN I AM IN 1000 TO 1500, LOW ROOMS LIKE WHEN I'M SLOWING TO MAKE A STOP.YESTERDAY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON THE ENTIRE 20 MINUTE TRIP. I TOOK CAR IN FOR REPAIR ON MY OWN $ BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT ALL,HIGHWAY AND STREET SPEEDS BUT MOSTLY WITH DECELERATION TURNING THE AIRBAG OFF. VERY DANGEROUS. WHY HAVEN'T YOU PUT THE PT CRUISER ON THE AIRBAG RECALL LIST? I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2002 AND AM,THE SOLE OWNER.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 12, 2019153,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEAD LAMPS WOULD ILLUMINATE RANDOMLY DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHTS WAS REPLACED BY HIM. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP HOLDING THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE SWITCH HAD BURNED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 201955,000 milesUT

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE AND I AND IT ALMOST TOOK OUR LIVES BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT ALIVE AND THE INSURANCE AND THE ATTORNEYS GAVE ME SOME MONEY SO I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ME A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FOR $4, 700 FOR A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FROM LARRY H MILLER HONDA I STARTED HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM THEM AND EVENTUALLY BLEW THE HEAD GASKET IN IT NOT KNOWING THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO GOING IN IT I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT I SPENT MY WHOLE $4, 700 FROM MY SETTLEMENT TO GET THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ON IT'S GOT 60, 000 MILES ON IT AND IT'S IT'S IN MY BACKYARD MY WIFE AND I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS OVERHEATED AND CAUSED IT TO BLOW THE HEAD GASKET I CHANGE THE WATER PUMP TIMING BELT EVERYTHING AND THEN IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET PLEASE HELP ME MY WIFE AND I ARE STUCK BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY TO GETTING AROUND AND I'M NOT ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE WE STRUGGLED SINCE OUR AUTO ACCIDENT AND THIS IS JUST BEEN ONE HURDLE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OVER IT PLEASE HELP ME

Air BagsCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Mar 15, 2019150,000 milesCA

TAKATA RECALL THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE ACCIDENT IN WHICH DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT TO REAR HATCH WAS T-BONED. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT IMPACT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS PRISTINE WHITE WITHOUT ANY FRAY WHEN DEFLATED. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WAS FULL OF GUN SHOT RESIDUE AND BAG FRAYED. THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS BURNED (BELT WAS CHARRED) ONTO DRIVERS CHEST AND THERE WAS AN APPARENT PUNCTURE WOUND LEFT OF CENTER CHEST AND MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WAS DECEASED. THIS HAPPENED JAN 27, 2019. I'M WAITING ON CERTIFIED REPORTS FROM LA COUNTY CORONER AND CHP. DUE END MARCH, EARLY APRIL. *DSY

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 17, 2018100,000 milesIL

DOME LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS GO OUT WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED. SOMETIMES DOME LIGHTS COME ON WHEN SIGNALS ARE USED. COULD RUN BATTERY DONE IF NOT NOTICED

Electrical System
Filed Dec 28, 2017224,441 milesNC

MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOT ONLY DID MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF BUT MY DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS ON MY GEAR SHIFT DID AS WELL. MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AS WELL.

Steering
Filed Nov 13, 201782,000 milesTN

VEHICLE RECALLED IN 2004 FOR POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAK POTENTIAL. RECALL WAS COMPLETED. POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE IS NOW LEAKING. CHRYSLER WILL NOT HONOR A REPAIR.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 16, 2017170,311 milesNY

TAKARA RECALL. WHILE CHANGING UPPER AND LOWER MOTOR MOUNT I NOTICED SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ROTTED AND AFTER I PUT MOUNTS IN THE CAR PULLS WHEN ACCELERATING

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 25, 201748,000 milesIL

ON RETURNING HOME FROM AN EVENT IN THE EVENING I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. I TURNED OFF LIGHTS AND THEN THE IGNITION AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN EXCEPT THE FOG LIGHTS STAYED ON (THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF). I NEVER HAD THE FOG LIGHTS ON THAT EVENING. I TRIED VARIOUS A TEMPS I.E. PUSHING THE BUTTEN IN, TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN, ETC., BUT DID NOT HAVE ANY SUCCESS. MY WIFE WENT ONLINE AND FOUND (FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR PT CRUSIERS) TO PUT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN PUSH THE FOG LIGHT BUTTEN IN. THIS WORKED SO THAT I DIDN'T WAKE UP TO A DEAD BATTERY. IF YOU GO ONLINE YOU WILL FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN PT CRUISERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM INCLUDING SOME HAVING SMOKE COMING FROM THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON!!

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 2, 201790,000 milesFL

TAKATA RECALL: I WAS DRIVING NORTH, TURNING RIGHT ON A 20 MPH CURVE, WHEN SOMEONE HEADING SOUTH, TURNED LEFT ON THE CURVE, WENT OVER THE LINE AND HIT ME HEAD ON. WHEN I CAME TO, I HEARD MYSELF SCREAMING THAT I WAS ON FIRE! ( BUT MY CAR WAS NOT ON FIRE.) THEN I DIDN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING UNTIL I WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL. I WAS COVERED IN THIS HOT POWDERY SUBSTANCE AND I HAD BURNS WHERE EVER MY SKIN WAS SHOWING. I HAD CUTS EVERYWHERE AND DARK MARKS IN MY SKIN FOR YEARS. I HAD CORNEAL SCRATCHES AND IRRITATED EYES TOO, ALONG WITH DISLOCATED JAW, SEAT BELT INJURIES AND A FEW OTHER INJURIES. MY TMJ SPECIALIST REALIZED I HAD METAL IN MY FACE, LOOKING AT MY MRI. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE MRI, MY FACE SWELLED UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MY RIGHT EYE WAS SWOLLEN SHUT AND MY FACE HAD A HUGE BUMP WHERE THE METAL FESTERED UP FROM THE MRI, THE ER LANCED IT OPEN, FOUND PARTICALS BUT DIDN'T DO A BIOPSY, JUST THREW IT AWAY. I NEVER HAD FACE SURGERY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND IT WAS TOO HIGH ON MY CHEEK TO BE FROM DENTAL WORK. I HAVE DOCUMENTS ON ACCIDENT REPORTS, DRS DOCUMENTS, X RAYS, MRI'S SHOWING THE BLOOM OF METAL HIDING MY BROKEN JAW. I HAVE PICTURES TOO OF ME AND DEPLOYED AIRBAGS. ALTHOUGH I DON'T HAVE THEM HERE TO SCAN. HOPEFULLY I CAN COME BACK TO MY FORM AND UPDATE ANY INFORMATION THAT IS MISSING. THANK YOU. MY TMJ DR AND MY MAXIO FACIAL SPECIALIST SAID IT HAD TO BE SHRAPNEL AND THEY CANNOT MAKE ANY PROPER DIAGNOSIS OF MY TMJ OR BROKEN JAW. I STILL HAVE PAIN AND STILL HAVE SHRAPNEL THAT HAS BEEN CO

Structure
Filed Oct 30, 2016294,000 milesOH

ENGINE CRADLE, OR FRONT SUBFRAME, IS RUSTED TO THE POINT I'VE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A REPLACEMENT BUT CHRYSLER NO LONGER MAKES THE PART! NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO THIS POINT BECAUSE OF MY CAUTION BUT THE FRONT END WAS STARTING TO MAKE POPPING NOISES WHEN I STARTED OUT FROM A DEAD STOP. THE PROBLEM IS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I UNDERSTAND FROM READING ARTICLES, MANY OTHER PTS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. FOR YEARS, I HAVE TRIED TO PRIME AND SPRAY OIL ON THE PART TO EXTEND IT'S LIFE. TIME HAS COME.... *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 29, 2016135,000 milesOH

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT I PULLED OVER AND I DIDNT HAVE DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. ALL THE FUSES ARE GOOD. I WAS RESEARCHING ONLINE AND ALOT OF PT CRUISERS ARE HAVING THE ISSUE IT SEEMS THAT THE CONNECTOR FOR THE FUSE BLOCK GOES BAD I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. I THINK ITS REDUNDANT THAT YPU HAVE TO PAY 150-250 DOLLARS EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. WHEN NO ONE REALLY HAS THAT KINDA MONEY

20 of 511 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201022010Routine
200997010Routine
2008115060Routine
2007149030Routine
2006349151Fatalities reported
20051875120Routine
20042173153Fatalities reported
20032584151Fatalities reported
2002 — this page5115342Fatalities reported
20016187170Above average

Compare every PT Cruiser year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.